January 2024 BLOG

I’m always up to something, in fact I try to create something everyday, so I thought I might put together a running Blog of the Current Work I’ve been doing. This blog will serve as a personal record, helping me look back and recall the work I’ve been doing, as I sometimes tend to forget the specifics of my past projects. I plan to include noteworthy work that I believe deserves to be shared and showcased here. Click here to see the 2023 BLOG Archive

JANURARY 20, 2024

Today, I crafted a new music video to complement the title track “Close Enough to Tango” from my recently released album “From My Mind.” This entire project was a solo endeavor, without any AI assistance. I sourced video clips from Storyblocks and Envato, which I then edited using Final Cut Pro. Initially, I experimented with Visla AI, but its inclination towards adding narration and crafting a story didn’t align with my vision. Consequently, I opted for the more traditional approach of Final Cut Pro. The thumbnail for the video was initially generated using Leonardo AI. However, I made substantial edits in Photoshop, such as correcting hands, removing extra legs and fingers, and then incorporating the text and my album’s new cover image. I’m excited to share this video with you and hope you enjoy it!

JANURARY 19, 2024

As usual, I’ve been quite occupied with my creative endeavors. This includes crafting images for various contests, producing videos, and releasing my ninth album. The image contests have remained an enjoyable yet occasionally challenging pursuit, particularly because they’ve been focusing on rather specific subjects lately. For instance, just yesterday, the challenge was to transform Vans Sneakers into captivating, futuristic, and vibrant designs. Surprisingly, it can be quite tricky when the subject matter is so narrowly defined. To meet this particular challenge, I generated over 300 images. Speaking of image quantities, I’ve now surpassed the milestone of creating 30,000 images since May! With such a vast collection, I’ve jestingly entertained the idea of starting my own stock photo site, although that’s merely a humorous thought.

In terms of contest wins, I haven’t been as fortunate recently. The competition has become increasingly tough, especially with a growing number of submitted images in each contest. When there are over 1000 entries, and only the top three are selected, the odds are stacked against you. Nevertheless, despite my recent absence from the winner’s circle, I’ve managed to secure a couple of image sales, one of which was through Adobe’s Stock site—an exciting development.

My attention has been equally divided between working on videos, thanks to the availability of new AI software for video production. I’ve primarily utilized Vista AI because I find it incredibly user-friendly for assembling videos based on written scripts. My most recent project was a 25-minute guided meditation, comprising 10 minutes of breathwork and 15 minutes of guided meditation. Interestingly, I’ve personally found it to be exceptionally relaxing, and I chose a female voice for the video, as I prefer guided meditations with a female narrator. Listening to my own voice would have been quite the challenge! I wrote the script myself, and I was responsible for all the video editing, while the AI handled voiceovers, transitions, and timings.

Lastly, I’ve embarked on the exciting journey of releasing my latest album, titled “From My Mind.” This project has been in the making for approximately six months or even longer. Fortunately, I recently completed the final tweaks to the songs. For more information about the album, you can follow this link to my Music Page.

JANURARY 7, 2024

Today, I decided it was time to create my first 10-minute guided meditation. It was an enjoyable project, and I think the outcome is pretty good. While I don’t consider myself a meditation guru or a teacher of meditation, I have listened to countless hours of guided meditations. Additionally, having practiced meditation since 1990, a thought struck me during one of my sessions: ‘I could create one of these.’ And so, here it is.”

I also made a short 2 minute video based on my small story named “Just Write” Explore the transformative power of a positive mindset with ‘Harnessing Positivity: The Law of Attraction in Action’. This inspirational video delves into personal stories and philosophical insights, encouraging viewers to attract happiness through positivity and kindness. Discover how to navigate life’s waves with a hopeful perspective.

JANURARY 6, 2024

I feel as though I’m on a new kind of automatic pilot, generating content at an amazing pace! To be honest, much of this material was already in various stages of development, but this new software has really invigorated me. Here’s a new piece I had started but hadn’t completed until now. I’ve finished it, given it a bit of polish, and also created a companion video to accompany the writing of “The Record of Life”

This next video is an adaptation of my Poem titled “Any Given Moment”

JANURARY 5, 2024

It’s fascinating how things spontaneously unfold when you let them, trusting that the universe will present the right opportunities at the right moments. Just yesterday, after updating my post, I found myself watching YouTube videos, as I often do. That’s when I stumbled upon a new AI video creation software named Visla AI. Being a video editor myself, I was intrigued to give it a try. And, oh boy, it turned out to be quite an exciting venture!

For my initial project, I decided to adapt my ‘Are We Light Beings?‘ theory post to see how the AI would handle a relatively short piece. The process was surprisingly straightforward: I linked my blog post to their AI, and in just about 3-5 minutes, I had a video complete with narration and subtitles. Although it required some additional tweaking, the software’s user-friendly interface greatly simplified the task.

The first issue I tackled was that a few of the video clips didn’t quite align with the narrative. Fortunately, it’s easy to swap them out for more suitable ones. While the free version of the software has its limitations, it still offers plenty of functionalities. I opted for their monthly subscription at $20, seeing the potential time savings as a worthwhile investment, especially with access to all the premium content, which was essential for my project.

I dedicated roughly 5-6 hours to editing the video, which involved inserting new scenes, adjusting timings, and making six rough cuts. The final result, which I’ve uploaded to my YouTube channel, is a testament to the powerful combination of creativity and technology. Although I couldn’t seem to get the transitions to work with the final take. The transitions worked in preview mode and made it look a bit more polished and when it gets fixed I’ll adjust the video. In the meantime enjoy the video.

Here’s an adaptation to my poem “Oh Bench“

JANURARY 4, 2024

Happy New Year! Time really does fly, and it’s been almost a month since my last post due to my busy schedule immersed in creative pursuits. Excitingly, this marks a fresh start with a BRAND NEW blog post for the New Year. I’m contemplating a shift in my posting strategy, considering a monthly frequency, whether it be a single substantial entry or multiple smaller ones using a new Page each month.

In recent times, my focus has predominantly revolved around the challenges hosted on Wirestock. These challenges have seamlessly become a daily ritual, with Wirestock introducing two or more new challenges every day or two. Typically, I choose one to immerse myself in, dedicating my efforts solely to that specific challenge.

Since my previous post, I’ve achieved notable placements in several challenges, including a 1st place, (2) 3rd places, and a 4th place, coupled with the satisfaction of a couple of sold images. While I’m not amassing great wealth, the winnings have covered my yearly subscription costs, which is a significant win in itself.

In my previous post, I touched on the Wide Depth of Field challenge, and I’m thrilled to announce that my image clinched the 1st place prize – my first time at the top! It was an enjoyable challenge, as Wide Depth of Field creates a blurred background that makes the subject pop, particularly enhancing macro photography, my favorite style.

The subsequent challenge, The Interdimensional Travel Challenge of a Time Space Portal, earned me a 3rd place with an image crafted using a combination of Leonardo and Photoshop. Following that, I secured another 3rd place in the Hot Wheels Challenge, where keen eyes might spot a missed detail by the judges – an extra wheel well. I’ve since rectified it in Photoshop, and the image looks even better.

Lastly, I participated in the New Years Worldwide Challenge, where I secured a 4th place as an honorable mention, earning $5. While the cash prizes may not be substantial, they accumulate over the month. Wirestock pays out between the 1st-4th of every month, with a minimum payout of $30. I’m delighted to share that I received my first PayPal deposit, surpassing the $30 threshold!

Beyond photography, my focus has shifted towards my music creations. I’ve generated a plethora of new material, with 5 or 6 songs ready for publication and 3-4 more in various stages of development. I’m optimistic that my next blog post, either later this month or the next, will include the exciting debut of my music. Stay tuned!